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Archiver > SHIPWRECK > 2003-02 > 1044095180


From: "Chris Woods" <>
Subject: Re: [SW-L] ss Barritz WW2 troopship
Date: Sat, 1 Feb 2003 10:27:37 -0000
References: <003501c2c8f9$ec2736c0$9de086d4@oemcomputer> <007601c2c94e$f1ea6e60$c59a7ad5@x8p5w2>


Dear John,

This is great, a fascinating insight into the very varied life of a south
coast rail ferry.

Thank you very much for your reply which will fit into the family tree very
nicely. Hesitate to ask, but any suggestions where I might be able to
download a photo of her?

Thanks again from not so sunny Norfolk. One inch of snow and everyone here
throws up their hands in dispair. After sailing up the Blatic in -40
degrees, using steam hoses to soften mooring ropes, and with the pilot
driving across the ice to the ship, this is rather tame. Latterly worked
out of the Shetlands, Peterhead and Aberdeen and my final run was to pay
off in Halifax after working in iceberg alley. Scotland is beautiful in the
snow - as long as you don't have to work in it.

Thank you very much again,

Chris
an olde retired salt


----- Original Message -----
From: "John D.Stevenson" <>
To: <>
Sent: Friday, January 31, 2003 5:33 PM
Subject: Re: [SW-L] ss Barritz WW2 troopship


>
> Subject: [SW-L] ss Barritz WW2 troopship
>
>
> >
> > Any info about the ship, what happened to her, and possibly what she
> looked like, preferrably in wartime colours, would be very much
> appreciated,
> >
> > Many thanks,
> >
> > Chris
> > Norfolk
>
> Good evening Chris,
> BIARRITZ..O.N. 136809.
> Steel twin screw steamer.
> Launched 7th December 1914, as Yard No 1015, William Denny & Bro's ,
> Dunbarton. Completed 9th March 1915.Cost
> £110,780.
> 2495 GRT.
> 341ft L, 42ft B, 24ft D.
> Four steam turbines, geared to two shafts, and six water tube boilers
> operating at 210 p.s.i. pressure supplied and fitted by the builders.
> Service speed 23 knots.Coal burning.
> Fitted with electricity and wireless.
> Passengers : 130 first and 1200 deck.
> Crew 59.
> Owners : South Eastern & Chatham Railway Co. London.
> Port of Reg : London.
>
> 1915. 9th March. Requisitioned by Admiralty as a minelayer.
> Served mostly in North Sea.
> 1916. Operating in Aegean Sea and western Med.
> 1918 December.Returned to owners.
> 1923. 1st January. Transferred to ownership of Southern Railway. No name
> change.
> The Souther Railway Group , including S.E.&C.Rly, were combined
> into S.R.
> Operating on Dover - Calais route.
> 1925. 13th November. Returned to Denny for complete overhaul and
conversion
> to oil burning. Approx cost £50,000.
> 1926. March. Folkestone to Boulogne service.
> 1939. 25th August. Requisitioned by Admiralty as a cross Channel
troopship.
> 1940. 25th April evacuated Dutch Government officials from Rotterdam.
> May . Made five trips to Dunkirk beaches around 6200 men
lifted.
> 20th June. evacuated British and French service men and
civilians
> from Guernsey . An estimated 1300 people lifted.
> 1943/4 Converted to carry six L.C.A's. Given Pennant No 4.96 (Flag 4 being
> for auxilliary vessels)
> 1944. June. Ferried troops to Normandy Beacheads.
> 1945 September. Returned to owners.
> 1947. May. Returned to Denny for overhaul.
> 1948. Transferred to British Transport Commission. NNC.
> Worked the Harwich - Hook of Holland service as a standby
vessel.
> 1949. August. Laid up at Wellington Dock, Dover.
> 30th November. Commenced breaking up at Dover.
>
> Trust this is of help.
> Regards.
> John.
>
> John D. Stevenson.
> Flurries of snow, -3C.
> Edinburgh.
>
>
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